Predicted Fulham Line-up To Face Derby County In The Championship Playoffs
Here we are, the first leg of the playoffs to make it to the Premier League, and 3rd-placed Fulham take on Derby County after a disappointing defeat on the final day of the season. They had to win to put pressure on Cardiff but instead, Birmingham stepped up and did what they needed to do to stay in the Championship.
Derby come into this came after defeating Barnsley to scrape into the playoffs and they will be delighted that they’ve made it. Fulham will be a stern test but one that they will be up for.
Probable Fulham XI
Manager: Slavisa Jokanovic
Formation: 4-3-3
Marcus Bettinelli (GK)
The 25-year-old didn’t have the best of games against Birmingham. He made some good saves but will expect his defenders to protect him more against Derby.
Ryan Fredericks (RB)
Fredericks will be looking to get back to his best against Derby after a couple of average displays against Sunderland and Birmingham. The stakes should be enough of an incentive.
Denis Odoi (CB)
Odoi really let himself down at Birmingham after a stand-out season. Needs to clear his head after that game.
Tim Ream (CB)
Ream was probably the best performer against Birmingham in that Fulham backline but still didn’t perform to the best of his ability. Will be looking to stay strong at the back with Odoi.
Matt Targett (LB)
Targett looked to be carrying a bit of a knock against Birmingham and it really showed in his game. Thankfully, he has had some time to recover and should be back to his best against Derby.
Stefan Johansen (CM)
Looked nowhere near to being solid against Birmingham. Will be looking to control the game alongside McDonald and Cairney to make life difficult for the Derby midfielders.
Kevin McDonald (CM)
The game against Birmingham seemed to pass the 29 year-old by. Will be looking to defend strongly and allow Johansen and Cairney to get forward.
Tom Cairney (CM)
Cairney has been fantastic all season for Fulham and will be looking to create for his team against Derby. He scored a great goal in the previous game and will be looking to keep that level up.
Ryan Sessegnon (LW)
Probably had his worst game of the season against Birmingham. It was a very strange game for him. Jokanovic should keep the faith and hope that he terrorises the Derby defence.
Lucas Piazon (RW)
The right-winger has impressed this season on-loan from Chelsea and will be hoping to add to his good goals and assists ratio.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (ST)
The powerful striker changed Fulham’s season when he came in on loan from Newcastle and he will be hoping to help them over the line in the playoffs. Should be a handful for Curtis Davies at the back.